BHUBANESHWAR: The Odisha BJP today criticised the ruling BJD for its non-cooperation with the Centre and the Andha Pradesh government for resolving the issue arising out of Polavaram irrigation project.
"The ruling BJD's decision to intensify its agitation against Polavaram multi-purpose irrigation project on the river Godavari in Andhra Pradesh is henious attempt to create panic among the people for political mileage," BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma said.
The state government has been requested by the Andhra Pradesh government and the Centre to conduct public hearing of people in the areas likely to be affected by the project. Instead of giving an opportunity to the affected people to express their views on the project, the ruling BJD is misleading them.
Though the state government has been claiming that many villages in tribal-dominated Malkangiri and Rayagada districts would be adversely affected by the project, it has not substantial to prove its claim.
Sharma said that Polavaram was given national project status by the UPA Government and the NDA government kept the promise to bear the entire expenditure of the project. The issue was discussed in the Parliament and nothing hidden from the State Government.
Sharma added that the BJD has every right to agitate against the decision of the Centre. Instead of politicising the issue, the ruling party must take up the matter at the right forum to find a solution.
Asserting that in no way the state's interest will be compromised, the BJP leader advised BJD to take all political parties into confidence on the issue.